text:
Next time you go to the supermarket, you may want to use the disinfectant wipes the store offers to clean the handle on your shopping cart. It turns out shopping carts are loaded with germs that you don’t want your child exposed to.
According to a recent study 72% of 85 carts that were tested had traces of fecal bacteria on them. The researchers also took a closer look at 36 of the carts and found that 50% of them carried E. coli. “That’s more than you find in a supermarket restroom” states Charles Gerba, a microbiology professor at the University of Arizona.
The reasons for all this bad news, the shopping carts are not routinely scrubbed like rest rooms are. Researchers feel the germs are a result of dirty hands, raw foods, birds and other animal feces as the carts are stored outside.


text:
Aztec snaps up Cosyfloor
Underfloor heating brands Cosyfloor, Ecofloor and Ecomat have been sold to Aztec Europe for an undisclosed sum. Aztec has also bought the Demista heated mirror pads brand that was jointly developed by R&D Marketing and Aztec, and have been manufactured in the UK by Aztec since its introduction by R&D Marketing more than 20 years ago.
R&D says that the change in ownership will have no adverse affect on the products and services that its diverse range of customers has enjoyed.
David and Ruth Perl, the founders and directors of R&D Marketing will continue to be involved with the continuing development of the two brands.

domain: news


text:
Some customers at the Giant Food Store on South Spring Garden Street in Carlisle scoot past the tall, gray robot on wheels, avoiding contact with its googly eyes. Others look at it with a smile, and a few offer a cheery, “Hey, Marty!” as it rolls past.
Marty is a robot deployed in four area Giant stores to improve the shopping experience, said Christopher Brand, director of external communications and community relations at Giant.
“We are, of course, thrilled by the recognition of Marty by our customers. I think they are having some good fun with it,” he said.
Marty was initially piloted at the Giant store at Union Deposit Road in Harrisburg in early October 2017, and has since made an appearance at stores in Silver Spring Township and Mechanicsburg in addition to the Carlisle store.
Marty is equipped with multiple cameras and technology similar to that of newer cars that not only allow for hazards to be detected, but also to stop the car before it hits an object. Using the cameras, Marty looks for spills and hazards and reports them to the team of associates electronically so they can send someone to take care of it.
Powered by a rechargeable lithium battery, Marty also has the capacity to scan shelves to identify items that are out of stock and send a message so the area can be quickly resupplied.
“We don’t want holes on the shelves because then we know we aren’t satisfying our customers,” Brand said.
Brand said Marty does not replace associates. Rather, it gives the store’s employees more time to engage with customers. In one of the chain’s larger stores, for example, an associate patrolling for spills or out-of-stock merchandise might find something after a 10-minute walk. Marty allows for a more targeted approach by sending information on those concerns directly to the store’s team.
Cameras and sensors allow Marty to stop if something as small as a loaf of bread is on the floor in front of it. That opens the possibility for the robot to be boxed in by obstacles. If that happens, an alert is sent to the store associate so that Marty can be rescued.
As a forward-looking company, Giant adds cutting-edge technology and new offerings to the stores to help the store experience become “exciting and new,” Brand said. The company is also grateful that the customers have been great sports about the new robot and their interaction with Marty.
“I do think we’re all fascinated with the devices we have in our homes now,” Brand said. “It makes sense that these types of advancements are becoming more and more common.”


text:
Seafood and safety are synonymous with Volvo's first 90 yearsApril 14
While Volvo celebrates the 90th anniversary of the arrival of its first model this month, the company's story actually started in August 1924 because of the founders' shared love of crayfish, according to the company archives.
Geely doubles earnings as Volvo tech boosts salesMarch 22
Making cars? Simple, Li saysDec. 5, 2016
Chinese billionaire Li Shufu, whose Zhejiang Geely Holding Group owns Volvo, Geely and Lynk & CO, says there is “no magic in car production.” The usually media-shy mogul explained why during a roundtable interview in Shanghai last month.
Li ShufuNov. 28, 2016
China may lift cap on foreign carmaker stakes in JVsJune 27, 2016
China's government is considering the removal of caps on stakes foreign carmakers can own in joint ventures with local partners, potentially loosening a policy criticized for shielding state-owned companies from competition and building their own brands.
Geely design boss Horbury gets Volvo's sister brand to think bigMay 17, 2016
The Briton who smoothed out Volvo's boxy lines is aiming to give China's Geely more global appeal by ditching its utilitarian image. Peter Horbury is central to efforts by Volvo's sister brand to push upmarket and go international by tapping European design and technology.
Geely gears up for push into Europe, U.S. with SUVApril 21, 2015
Chinese automaker Geely plans to build a small SUV late next year that will go on sale in China in early 2017, several European markets a year or so later, and eventually the US, sources said. For export to Europe, the SUV will initially be a plug-in hybrid because Geely wants to be seen as a maker of affordable high-tech cars rather than just a cheap Chinese brand.


text:
Just because AMA Pro Road Racing might not be coming to Miller Motorsports Park, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy racing at one of the finest tracks in the United States. World Superbike is confirmed for a stop at MMP, and tickets are now available.
Making its third trip to Miller Motorsports Park, World Superbike will come to Tooele, Utah May 29th-31th, and for the first time in WSBK history, the races will be held on a Monday to coincide with Memorial Day.
John Larson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Miller Motorsports Park, commented on the holiday racing schedule, staying:
“We’re really looking forward to our 2010 World Superbike event, and we’re pulling out all the stops to make it the must-attend motorcycle racing event of the year. Racing on Monday is going to be exciting and, as usual, the racing is going to be spectacular. We have a number of exciting features that we’ll be announcing in the next couple of months, but we wanted to get our three-day tickets on sale early and give fans the opportunity to give the gift of speed for the holidays.”
Three-day reserved grandstand tickets are priced at $145, while three-day general admission tickets are priced at $125. Both three-day tickets include paddock passes. Tickets are available online at http://www.sbkusa.com/ or by telephone at (435) 277-RACE (435-277-7223).


text:
NRF Finds Consumers Will Spend More During Holidays
The National Retail Federation released a forecast earlier this month that shows sales for the upcoming holiday season will increase from 4.3 percent to 4.8 percent over the year.
On Oct. 24, the prominent Washington, D.C.–based merchants group revealed shoppers will spend an average of $1,007.24 during the holiday season. That’s up 4.1 percent from the average of $967.13 that consumers spent in the holiday 2017 season, Matthew Shay, NRF’s president and chief executive officer, said.
“Confidence is near an all-time high, unemployment is the lowest we’ve seen in decades, and take-home wages are up,” he said. “All of that is reflected in consumers’ buying plans. Retailers expect strong demand this year and are prepared with a wide array of merchandise while offering strong deals and promotions during the busiest and most competitive shopping season of the year.”
The NRF survey was conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. It also broke down where holiday shoppers will make their purchases and forecasted the types of products they will buy.
Forecasted as one of the most popular items, gift cards were requested by 60 percent of people surveyed. The second most popular category was clothing and accessories with 53 percent of people requesting fashion.
The survey found that 71 percent of consumers chose the stores they patronize because of the sales and discounts offered by the seller. Quality and selection of goods were also important—60 percent of shoppers said they picked a store because of its merchandise. Free shipping was chosen as a deciding factor by 47 percent of those surveyed ,and the convenience of a store’s location was ranked as a deciding factor regarding where to shop for 45 percent of those surveyed.
A majority of consumers—60 percent—will start shopping for gifts in November. A significant minority of 21 percent are early birds who started shopping in October, while 18 percent began shopping earlier.


text:
Window + Door’s Most-clicked News Stories of 2019
The many industry acquisitions in 2019 piqued interest of Window + Door readers, based on the results of the magazine’s most-clicked news, compiled between Jan. 1 to Dec. 13. Expansions, closures and new products also attracted reader attention. Read on for a summary of and link to the top 10 most-clicked news items of the year.
Masco Corp. Sells Milgard Windows and Doors to MI Windows and Doors
In June 2019, Masco Corp. completed its strategic review of its cabinetry and windows businesses and pursued the sale of those businesses, including Milgard Windows and Doors. Keith Allman, Masco’s president and CEO, said that the decision marked a company strategy to move away from new construction, as well as architectural products businesses.
MI Windows and Doors entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Milgard at the beginning of October, a process that’s expected to close by the end of 2019. “This acquisition aligns with our strategies to diversify our product offering, balance the end markets we serve, and expand our presence in growing markets," says Matt DeSoto, MI CEO.
Marvin Acquires SIW Windows & Doors Assets, Rebrands
The Marvin Companies acquired the assets of SIW Windows & Doors and formed a new business venture, SIW Solutions. In partnership with current SIW Windows & Doors ownership, The Marvin Companies is now the majority owner of the new SIW Solutions.
In April 2019, Marvin Windows and Doors also united the brand with the Integrity Windows and Doors brand to be known simply as Marvin. The Marvin brand now represents all fenestration products previously known as Marvin Windows and Doors and Integrity Windows and Doors, with both of those brand logos now retired. The company also has reorganized its product portfolio and developed several internal initiatives to support continued product introductions.
Jeld-Wen to Close Washington Plant
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Jeld-Wen closed its Yakima, Washington, plant in April 2019 to “build efficiencies under a revised business plan,” as reported by the Yakima Herald. The company reportedly has a plan in place to move the 179 employees to other facilities or provide outplacement services for those who will need to seek new employment. Jeld-Wen has had a presence in Yakima since 1987.
Andersen Windows Proposes $35 Million Project
Andersen Windows embarked on a $35-million project in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, reported the Twin Cities Pioneer Press in late June 2019. The 350,000-square-foot facility is the latest in Andersen's construction streak of a $40-million factory it constructed in Bayport, Minnesota, in 2018, a planned $105-million factory near Phoenix and $45 million in expansion projects in Cottage Grove and North Branch, Minnesota. The new factory is expected to employ 125 and will connect to an existing Renewal by Andersen factory, which employs 700 workers.
Jeld-Wen Holding Inc. Acquires VPI Quality Windows Inc.
As of March 2019, Jeld-Wen Holding Inc. acquired VPI Quality Windows Inc., a vinyl window manufacturer specializing in customized solutions for mid-rise multifamily, institutional, hospitality and commercial projects, primarily in the western U.S.
Pella Acquires Custom Window Systems
Pella Corp. acquired Ocala, Florida-based Custom Window Systems, which specializes in vinyl and aluminum impact-resistant products, in October 2019. Pella says the acquisition will enable the company to strategically expand and build scale in the high-growth Florida area and coastal regions in the Southeast.
J.D. Power Ranks Window and Patio Door Manufacturers, Retailers
The J.D. Power 2019 Windows and Patio Doors Satisfaction Study, released in August 2019, ranked top window and patio door manufacturer and retailers. Infinity from Marvin ranked as the highest window and patio door manufacturer with a satisfaction score of 890, followed by Renewal by Andersen (887) and American Craftsman (869). For window and patio door retailers, Window World ranked highest with a score of 878 followed by Renewal by Andersen (875).
Andersen Showcases New Products, Design Visionaries at 2019 IBS
Andersen Windows debuted new innovations, including products to enable easier installation and larger window combinations, smart home technology and a virtual reality design tool at the National Association of Homebuilders’ 2019 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, Feb. 19-21.
Veka Forms New Digital Solutions Company
In a move to expand its product portfolio with digital, forward-thinking products, Veka formed stand-alone company Digital Product Solutions Corp., as of July 2019. DPS Corp. will work closely with Veka’s customer base to bring digital solutions to the window and door industry, with potential for entry into the outdoor living market space. This venture is part of a global initiative by the Veka Group to offer digital solutions to markets around the world.
Pella To Open Manufacturing Facility in North Carolina
Pella Corp. selected Reidsville, North Carolina, for its new manufacturing facility as of May 2019. Pella will occupy an existing 150,000-square-foot space, where it will produce and distribute vinyl windows and doors. Pella expects to begin hiring in the fourth quarter of 2019 and estimates that 125 jobs will be created by the time the facility is fully staffed.


text:
After Nokia previewed its upcoming Kinetic device prototypes with flexible displays, Samsung wants to make sure it gets a share of the spotlight too. The company showed off its own flexible display technology at CES 2011, and is now ready to declare that it aims to start shipping them in 2012. The first batch of flexible displays will be for smartphones only, but Samsung plans to put larger counterparts in tablets later on.
This new technology will unlock an entire new world of mobile devices. Perhaps one day not too long from now we’ll see a cell phone you can roll up and slide into a bag, but that’s only the beginning. Nokia already had a UI of its own prepared specifically for flexible displays. To control the contents on screen, you would bend and twist the device in certain directions. Some say this could be the biggest change for mobile user interfaces since Apple’s multi-touch technology was introduced in 2007.
Twisting and turning your device is going to be hard to market, especially since multi-touch is just so natural. It seems like we should have always been using pinch-to-zoom gestures or inertia scrolling because it flows so fluidly with the content. Bending your device back to zoom in, on the other hand, would not only get tiresome, but also would just look like you’re frustrated with the thing.
Samsung may have a different strategy for flexible displays in mind, though. For that, we’ll have to wait until next year. I’m sure Samsung will have more to say on the subject at CES 2012 in January.


text:
INDIANAPOLIS — A program providing affordable locally-grown produce returned to IndyGo Wednesday.
The Food in Transit program is a partnership between Growing Places Indy and IndyGo. Through the program, people can buy their groceries at the Julia M.Carson Transit Center using either cash, SNAP, EBT, credit or debit card.
The farm stand provides a variety of fresh, local vegetables each week. Shoppers can buy bundles of $5 or $10 worth of produce. They are pre-bundled and wrapped for safety and convenience.
“We’re excited to provide affordable, locally grown produce at the Carson Transit Center through this partnership,” says Lesley Gordon, IndyGo Director of Public Affairs and Partnerships. “We know that many of our riders use IndyGo to get to the grocery store and access food, and we are pleased to offer fresh food in a convenient location. We are grateful to the City of Indianapolis and Growing Places Indy for partnering with us and making this project possible.”
Food in Transit is available every Wednesday between July 1 and the end of October, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the farm stand will be held inside the Carson Transit Center, with the capacity limited to promote social distancing.


text:
There's a potentially huge story over at Bloomberg regarding VIA's squabble with Intel over a Pentium 4 chipset license. The story is unconfirmed, so far, but Intel is apparently on the record:
Hong Kong, Oct. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Intel Corp., the world's largest chipmaker, said it won a lawsuit in Germany against Taiwan's Via Technologies Inc.VIA and Intel have been engaged in this chipset tussle for quite some time now, and if this German ruling stands, it could spread to other countries and decimate VIA's Pentium 4 chipset standing. With a ruling like this under its belt, a Pentium 4 license may become quite expensive for VIA, if Intel is even willing to sell them one.
``The Dusseldorf District Court has decided to prohibit the importation or sale of Via chipsets that work with Intel Pentium IV processors,'' said Josie Taylor, an Intel spokeswoman in Hong Kong.
We'll be keeping tabs on this story and update you when more details emerge. Thanks to The Inquirer for the tip.
|AMD drops prices on the Radeon RX 460 and RX 470||40|
|Reports: Radeon RX 470D is a budget Polaris card for China||9|
|Examining reports of slow write speeds on the 32GB iPhone 7||27|
|Cellular Insights dissects iPhone 7 Plus modem performance||11|
|Deals of the week: scads of high-performance storage and more||9|
|Tobii's Eye Tracker 4C knows where your head is||4|
|GeForce driver 375.57 is prepared for Titanfall 2||8|
|Phanteks Eclipse P400 gets a tempered glass option||0|
|Radeon 16.10.2 drivers add support for October's big games||10|
|A real "console monitor" would be 720p @ 30 Hz ;P||+63|


text:
Google Google just canâ€™t help itself. A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the epic fail of one Google spokesperson who singlehandedly cast doubt about Googleâ€™s commitment to its cloud platform. This time itâ€™s another loose cannon in the form of Google CIO Ben Fried. Fried gave an interesting and jaw-dropping interview to AllThingsD in which he talked about the risks to an organization like Google of using third party cloud products. (I kid you not, one of the original creators of third party cloud products decides theyâ€™re not safe to use).
Commenting on the assertion that Google bans cloud backup, sync and sharing service Dropbox from its corporate network, Fried confirmed the fact and justified the move with the ill-advised comment that:
The important thing to understand about Dropbox, is that when your users use it in a corporate context, your corporate data is being held in someone elseâ€™s data center
Well, um, yes. That Mr Fried is a pretty good definition of what cloud computing is all about. Itâ€™s the very proposition that your band of merry enterprise sales folks are using to try and sell Google Apps to all those customers out there. You just gave your entire salesforce a black eye and, at the least, made sure theyâ€™re the brunt of all their colleagues jokes.
Seeing yet another PR disaster, Googleâ€™s spin team got into action and issued a clarificationÂ in which they say that Fried misspoke. According to the clarification:
Fried says he meant that the real concern about Dropbox and other apps is more around security than storage. â€œAny third-party cloud providers that our employees use must pass our thorough security review and agree under contract to maintain certain security levels,â€ Fried wrote via email after the story posted.
Facepalm anyone? While this example is one small mistake from someone who generally wouldnâ€™t get air time, itâ€™s yet another example of the real issues that Google faces if it wants to become a â€œrealâ€ enterprise IT vendor. Thereâ€™s a reason that Oracle Oracle, Microsoft Microsoft and VMware VMware have extensive PR departments. Thereâ€™s a reason that all those â€œnon productive typesâ€ that Google seems to have disdain for exist â€“ those marketing, communications, analyst relations and media types all have an important role to fill and, for those within the Googleplex who havenâ€™t yet grokked it, it goes something like thisâ€¦
Large enterprises spend a huge amount of money on IT and rely on their IT systems to run the most sensitive and mission critical parts of their business. They rely on their vendors to ensure their products are robust, reliable and fit for purpose. They expect that the messages coming from their vendors, the strategy behind the product roadmap, and the fundamental way in which the vendor works gives them continued confidence in the vendorâ€™s ability to deliver. True, some of that is an engineering question and vendors need to prove they have the engineering smarts â€“ but many a superior technology has been passed over by a customer worried about all the other things the expect from a vendor.
While a hokey story about Google creating a product (be it Drive, Hangouts, Email or Apps) because they had an internal need for it and didnâ€™t want to rely on a third party product makes for great discussions at a technology conference, itâ€™s not the sort of thing that gives customers confidence. Customers want far more certainty than the promise of 20% time, serendipity or some uber-geekâ€™s pet project.
Once and for all Google, please sit up and listen. This stuff is important, you are unquestionably a world-changing organization and have the ability to make everything better. But this flippant attitude to many parts of what you do hamper your ability to execute on that opportunity. Thatâ€™s undoubtedly a bad thing for your shareholders, but more importantly is a bad thing for us all.
Ben Kepes is a technology evangelist, an investor, a commentator and a business adviser. Ben covers the convergence of technology, mobile, ubiquity and agility, all enabled by the Cloud. His areas of interest extend to enterprise software, software integration, financial/accounting software, platforms and infrastructure as well as articulating technology simply for everyday users. Read more about BenÂ here.
Related on Forbes:


text:
AT Global Markets (UK) (ATFX) had entered the UK in early 2017, and within just a short span, its services and team have been able to create a niche for themselves. This is also apparent from the key campaign and media coverage that the company has joined the prestigious list of main sponsors for Finance Magnates’ 2017 London Summit, launched Taxi Advertising in London and CEO, Richard Craddock featuring in the latest Trading Strategies Supplement of The Times. It is a great affirmation of our commitment and hard work when renowned sources showcase our achievements to demonstrate how to get it right in the world of financial trading. The development and events never stop, ATFX will reach to next milestone in the business expansion.
In March, ATFX has been invited to participate in The 13th JEFX 2018, has been held on March 13 and 14. This two-day event is an important one for the region and will be attended by key forex brokerages. ATFX will be sponsoring a registration area at the event. In addition, the company has been nominated to receive the Best Forex Customer Services 2017 at the expo as part of the The Entrepreneur JFEX Awards. The 13th JEFX 2018 & The Entrepreneur JFEX Awards are the key B2B event for financial market players. This award means a lot, as ATFX considers this as a stepping-stone to open the gate in its business development in the Middle East. We believe that confidence is all about having a positive attitude, and most importantly, being well prepared.
ATFX believes that the event would be a significant experience, not just for the company’s team to network with other international firms but also spread the word about ATFX and its brand values. More importantly, given that the company is preparing to launch its Middle East offices, this event will prove valuable in establishing a strong footprint in the region.
The invitation to sponsor the expo and being selected for an award is not only an indication that ATFX is considered an influential broker but that it is also a good fit for the region. This will be the first time that the company will be participating as an exhibitor at an expo in the Middle East. This gives ATFX a great opportunity to build brand awareness and spread the word about its value proposition. The company intends to launch a number of trading instruments in the Middle East, including crude oil, gold and forex.
The company also stated that traders in the Middle East were looking for a firm that can understand and fulfill their unique needs. ATFX has studied the unique challenges and needs in the local market and has hand-picked its Middle East team with this in mind.
The company expressed confidence that it can offer best-in-class products and services for traders in the Middle East. From its user-friendly online trading platform to its multi-lingual customer support offered by skilled and experienced professionals, traders get an excellent trading environment and prompt help in the language that they are most comfortable in.
Eager to make a lasting impression in the minds of participants in the international financial markets, ATFX added that it planned to participate in various financial expos all over the world through 2018 to introduce its latest products and services to clients and brokers.


text:
Tests show how the Intel-powered iPhone XS compares to Qualcomm devices & more
iPhone XS LTE performance has been a popular topic since Apple originally unveiled the device last month. Both the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max antenna now feature 4×4 MIMO – a first for the iPhone – but some users have reported issues with LTE connectivity on the new devices.
Now, PCMag has put the iPhone XS Max through a series of speed tests in an attempt to offer more details on the device’s performance.
The post Tests show how the Intel-powered iPhone XS compares to Qualcomm devices & more appeared first on 9to5Mac.


text:
Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) recently announced that its board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $5 million of its outstanding common stock. “These recent developments underscore Flora’s management’s confidence in the direction the company is taking and its potential for growth as the year progresses. It also assures shareholders of the company’s commitment to generating shareholder value and exploring various opportunities to achieve this. As such, it only underscores the value of Flora as a good investment,” reads a recent post. “During the announcement, Luis Merchan, President and CEO of Flora, said, “Flora continues to act confidently to execute its growth plans while simultaneously improving gross profit margins and reducing company expenses. company. We are confident in the company’s short, medium and long-term growth prospects thanks to our strong brand portfolio in the market as well as our cultivation and export capabilities in life science research. The buyback program provides us with the opportunity to increase our stake in our portfolio of high-quality brands through our shares, which we believe are trading well below NAV. »
To see the full article, visit https://cnw.fm/HqK3B
About Flora Growth Corp.
Flora is building a connected, design-driven collective of plant-based wellness and lifestyle brands delivering the world’s most compelling customer experiences, one community at a time. As operator of one of the most extensive outdoor cannabis cultivation facilities, Flora relies on natural and cost-effective cultivation practices to supply cannabis derivatives to its commercial, brand house and science divisions. of life. Visit www.FloraGrowth.com or follow @floragrowthcorp on social media for more.
NOTICE TO INVESTORS: The latest FLGC news and updates can be found in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/FLGC
CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is a news service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize company news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full range of corporate communications solutions. As a multi-faceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of reporters and editors, CNW is uniquely positioned to better serve private and public companies seeking to reach a wide audience of investors. , consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 major syndication outlets across the country. By reducing the information overload in today’s marketplace, CNW provides its clients with unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.
To receive SMS alerts from CannabisNewsWire, text “Cannabis” to 844-397-5787 (US cell phones only)
For more information, please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com
Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW? Ask our editor
CannabisNewsWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.


text:
Posts with tag "alexander mcqueen"
- Posted May 26th 2011 at 01:15 AM by AOL Music Editors
Lady Gaga revealed that one of the tracks on her new 'Born This Way' album is about the late, legendary fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Gaga was deeply affected by McQueen's tragic death and her song 'Fashion of His Love' her personal tribute to the couturier. Gaga posted a note on her Twitter page saying, "Fashion Of His Love is about Alexander McQueen." McQueen committed suicide by han...
- Posted Mar 7th 2011 at 12:20 AM by The Editors of StyleList
** OFFICIAL UPDATE Visit AOL Royal Wedding for photos of Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress designed by Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton ** Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer is Alexander McQueen creative director, Sarah Burton, according to reports in British newspapers. While McQueen officials are issuing denials -- which they would be obliged to do, even if it were true -- sources tol...
- Posted Sep 20th 2010 at 01:15 PM by The Editors of StyleList
Sarah Jessica Parker and Vogue editor Anna Wintour were among the fashionistas who paid tribute to late designer Alexander McQueen at a private memorial service at St. Paul's Cathedral in London Monday. Parker told a celebrity-studded crowd that included Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Rachel Weisz that it was with "honor and great regret" that she was there to mark the contribution and creativit...
- Posted Feb 17th 2010 at 05:40 PM by Amber James
- Filed under:
- Good News -
- Movie News -
- Music News -
- TV News -
- Videos -
- Interviews -
- Exclusives -
- Chris Brown
Naomi Campbell is still the talk of New York's Fashion Week following her Fashion for Relief event that helped benefit earthquake-damaged Haiti. The gala featured fashion from the world's top designers and paid tribute to the late Alexander McQueen. PopEater had backstage access and met with Chris Brown, Victoria Beckham, Kelly Osbourne and Campbell to talk about their participation in the sold ou...
- Posted Feb 12th 2010 at 07:23 AM by PopEater Staff
Lady Gaga has broken her silence on the death of designer Alexander McQueen without saying a word. On Friday, the eccentric singer tweeted a photo of herself and McQueen in a loving embrace as a tribute to her friend, who was found dead a day ealier of an apparent suicide. Gaga was McQueen's muse, with the singer wearing dozens of his designs at events like the MTV Video Music Awards....
- Posted Feb 11th 2010 at 03:02 PM by Amber James
There's no question that Lady Gaga was a muse for fashion designer Alexander McQueen. His eccentric style meshed well with Gaga's fearless fashion sense. The pop singer even paid homage to the fashion icon in her catchy 'Bad Romance' video last year -- strutting around in a pair of McQueen's infamous lobster claw heels and runway designs. But with McQueen's recent death, will it change the face an...
- Posted Feb 11th 2010 at 10:43 AM by PopEater Staff
British fashion designer Alexander McQueen was found dead Thursday at his home of an apparent suicide. He was 40. McQueen was discovered at his luxury flat in Green Park, central London, where it is believed he hanged himself. He died just days after the loss of his mother, Joyce. "It is a tragic loss," McQueen's office said in a statement to UK's Daily Mail. "We are not making a comment at this t...
Popeater Hot Topics
- Heroes Among Us: Aracely Basurto Teaches Kids with Diabetes How to Stay Healthy
- Hey Parents, One Celeb Has Your Elf on the Shelf Game Beat
- Adorable Cat Wins Title of 'Ugliest Sleeping Face in Japan'
- 'Haunting Of's' Kim Russo claims to bridge gap between worlds
- Stephen Belafonte denies reports he abused wife Mel B
- Larry King grills Willie Robertson on his views on homosexuality
- ?School of Rock' musical coming to Broadway, courtesy of Andrew Lloyd Webber
- ?The Colbert Report' has a yard sale and sells Michael Stipe, Beatles figurines, more
- Better Call Saul First Look: Your 2 Favorites, Together Again!
- Annie Review Roundup: Why Critics Say Don't Spend Your Bottom Dollar on This Musical Remake
- Maria Menounos Goes Inside YouTube's Official Movie Making Studio—Find Out Why Ron Howard and Brian Grazer Are Interested!


text:
A new year and a new way to support our Girls Basketball Program! Beginning at the first game of 2018, gourmet popcorn cups will be on sale during all girls home games!!
The Triangle Society has partnered with Pop Til Ya Drop popcorn to provide a green&white gourmet popcorn cup to fans that is sure to please!
Don’t miss out on this limited time opportunity to get great popcorn and support Lady Mayhem! All proceeds go towards new uniforms for the team.


text:
Toucan wins online task for Papa John's
LONDON - Pizza delivery chain Papa John's hopes to ramp up its online sales with the appointment of partnership marketing company Toucan.
Toucan will develop its online marketing activity and launch an online campaign to drive consumer traffic to the pizza delivery chain's website papajohns.co.uk.
The site, which was relaunched recently following a major redesign, features an online ordering system. Papa John's claims it is the only fast-food website that has an extended ordering service, which allows customers to order pizza up to 30 days in advance.
Jean-Michel Fabre, marketing director at Papa John's, said: "Since we introduced the new online ordering functionality our online orders have doubled and the new website will help to achieve our target of 15% sales online by February 2007."
Toucan recently won Gold at the 2006 Institute of Sales Promotion awards for its 'Pizza loves Tabasco' campaign.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum.
This article was first published on marketingmagazine.co.uk
Latest jobs Jobs web feed
- Head of Engagement Planning (UK) BespokeHR £80,000 - £85,000, London (Central), London (Greater)
- Interim Head of Brand The Rank Group To attract the right person!, Maidenhead, Berkshire
- PR Manager Fashion & Retail Personnel Consultancy £35000 - £40000 per annum + benefits, London


text:
A lot has changed in the world of luxury in the last 3 years. Luxury consumers want to know what kind of impact their purchase might have on the socio-economic and environmental aspects of the society. Climate Change is not a catch-phrase that luxury brands want to engage in – it is a long term problem to which many of them are seeking solutions for and wanting to do their bit, so that the world is a better place to live in. To have Sustainability Goals and spark a conversation about the same has become increasingly important, and perhaps the issue has been accelerated because of the pandemic, especially for youngsters.
De Beers has always been a master at understanding the current social and cultural tenor and using that to better engage with its audience right from its “A Diamond is Forever” days. The rebranding of Forevermark to De Beers Forevermark (not yet in India) and the twelve ambitious sustainability goals to become completely carbon-neutral by 2030 have also been strategically thrown into the brand’s marketing mix at a time when consumers strongly feel that a brand is only as good as its actions. “Consumers want to know about the diamond on their finger. They associate De Beers with positive impact, which is why we wanted Forevermark to be closely linked with De Beers,” said Stephen Lussier, Executive Vice-President, Consumer Markets, De Beers Jewellers and Chairman, Forevermark.
"The impact a purchase might have on the society and environment is especially important for luxury goods as they are not essential. At De Beers we want to get ahead of this. All of these actions are not isolated. Consumer demand is strong, but to keep it stronger, we felt the need to build and champion the sustainability program" Stephen Lussier
In the U.S. consumers are buying diamond jewellery with full vigour and growth has been in double digits. Jewellery as we all already know has been one of the stronger performing categories in the luxury segment. De Beers did a study on why diamonds have stayed relevant and important given the current scenario and two key factors were found – because of the psychological impact of lockdown and a health crisis, people tend to step back and reflect on what is important to them. They want to seize the moment to say that they care, to the people who they love, and the modality they have been using to express their love has been diamonds. Secondly, there has been a big boom in self-purchase. Women believe that they have braved a pandemic and endured a lockdown, now they can reward themselves with something special, like a piece of diamond jewellery. Ear studs and solitaire necklaces have been doing extremely well for this very reason. In India too, the demand for Forevermark Diamonds has been strong. “Average point size has gone up from 18 points to 25 points. Our exclusive stores are seeing more traction,” said Sachin Jain, Managing Director, Forevermark India.
There is plenty of desire to buy jewellery but consumers still want to know how the diamonds they buy are impacting the society at large. “The impact a purchase might have on the society and environment is especially important for luxury goods as they are not essential. At De Beers we want to get ahead of this. All of these actions are not isolated. Consumer demand is strong, but to keep it stronger, we felt the need to build and champion the sustainability program,” added Lussier.
The De Beers Code of Origin ensures that all diamonds mined are natural and conflict free with a customised code. The program though scalable has to be executed properly first. “We are still testing waters, ensuring that we are thorough before we scale. And this is a program for the diamond industry at large, not just our partners,” said Jain.
One cannot deny the obvious fact that all of these measures are being put into practice at a time when lab-grown diamonds are also witnessing a promising demand. “Perhaps it is heightened because of lab-grown diamonds, but it is not completely accurate that lab-grown diamonds are sustainable. A vast majority of lab-grown diamonds are not made from recyclable energy. And so, we have a greater story to tell through natural diamonds," quipped Lussier.


text:
Security firm, FireEye, is broadening its portfolio with its $1 billion purchase of security provider Mandiant.
FireEye said the company can now combine its virtual machine monitoring tools with Mandiant’s endpoint security, incident response and mediation.
As far as mass public understanding goes, Mandiant gained national news for its spotting and rooting out Chinese hackers from The New York Times.
As a part of the deal, FireEye will issue 21.5 million shares and options worth about $900 million and pay $106.5 million in cash to acquire Mandiant.
FireEye and Mandiant are security companies that target technologies that go beyond the basic antivirus and signature-based tools.
Mandiant is often the first call companies make after an attack, said FireEye Chief Executive David DeWalt. FireEye and Mandiant were already partners and the combined company will be able to offer everything from intelligence to endpoint monitoring to consulting services. DeWalt said Mandiant will put FireEye closer to incidents and bolster product cycles.
Kevin Mandia, Mandiant chief executive, will become the chief operating officer of the combined company.
Based on the financial picture, FireEye and Mandiant should have quite a few cross selling opportunities, be able to expand internationally and improve products.
FireEye said its fourth quarter would be strong with revenue of $55 million to $57 million, up 74 percent to 80 percent from a year ago. The company said 2013 revenue will be $159 million to $161 million, up 91 percent to 93 percent from 2012. Mandiant’s 2013 sales topped $100 million.
FireEye said the combined company will deliver 2014 revenue of $400 million to $410 million, up about 50 percent from 2013.


text:
Receive the latest articles for free. Click here to get the Mobile Commerce Daily newsletters.
Dunkin’ Donuts enlists SMS, multichannel promotion to caffeinate mobile strategyBy
Dunkin’ Donuts is targeting consumers in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut region with a new campaign featuring New York Giants player Eli Manning that reflects the company’s continued mobile investments.
The coffee chain is partnering with Mr. Manning for the second year with a marketing effort that will continue through the next two years in New York. As part of the deal, mobile will play a big role in the correlating advertisements, and the campaign reflects the company’s continued investments in the medium.
“Eli’s Way to Pay’ is a fun and interactive way to engage fans with this year’s campaign right through their mobile devices,” said Cathy Chavenet, senior field marketing manager of Metro New York at Dunkin’ Brands, Boston.
“We know that our guests rely on their mobile phones, and having the chance to win fun prizes with a simple SMS entry is a quick, fun and convenient way for them to engage with Dunkin’ Donuts,” she said.
“At launch and into the present we’ve been encouraging downloads and continued use of the Dunkin’ app through a comprehensive integrated marketing effort that includes in-store, mobile media advertising, a dedicated page on DunkinDonuts.com, emails through our Dunkin’ UpDDate program, public relations and social-media based programming.”
Mr. Manning’s ads are meant to highlight Dunkin’ Donuts’ mobile payment application, which the company has been actively been promoting in the past year. According to the brand, the ads will also promote Dunkin Donuts’ iced coffee.
Dunkin’ Donuts is launching an SMS sweepstakes to support the Eli Manning campaign that runs through Sept. 29.
Consumers can text the keyword MPAY to the short code 74121 to win instant prizes.
In addition, the SMS message automatically enters consumers to win one of the ten grand prizes – a trip to New Jersey’s Quest Diagnostics Training Center with Mr. Manning for photos.
The SMS entry also automatically opts consumers into Dunkin’ Donuts’ mobile alerts program and includes a link to Dunkin Donuts’ mobile app that drops consumers into the correct app store, where it can be downloaded to their device.
The sweepstakes is limited to consumers within the tri-state area.
The newest marketing effort from Dunkin’ Donuts is the latest example of the strong role that mobile plays in the brand’s multichannel marketing.
Dunkin’ Donuts originally launched its app last year to let consumers pay for food and drinks via a digital gift card that is loaded with money from a credit card.
Therefore, the majority of Dunkin’ Donuts’ mobile efforts center on driving app downloads.
Most recently, the brand ran a time-sensitive Twitter sweepstakes that encouraged consumers to take in-app screenshots or upload a picture of their favorite store (see story).
“Last month, Dunkin’ Donuts celebrated its one-year anniversary of the brand’s mobile application for payment and gifting,” Ms. Chavenet said.
“In just its first year, the Dunkin’ app has been downloaded more than 3.5 million times, giving people across the country a quick and convenient way to pay for Dunkin’ Donuts food, beverages and merchandise, as well as receive special discounts and offers,” she said.
Lauren Johnson is associate reporter on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York
Like this article? Sign up for a free subscription to Mobile Commerce Daily's must-read newsletters. Click here!
leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


text:
A Brief Dish-Soap Shortage Has Officially Been Resolved
Don’t fear: The supposed "soapocalypse" is over.
Ominous signs were posted in Walmart stores this week to alert shoppers of a dish-soap shortage. But as it turns out, the suds situation may be over before it really began.
The warning signs state that a national shortage of dish soap could affect supply through December 1. Some Walmart shoppers took to Twitter to share photos of the memos, which feature an identical statement across multiple stores. It reads: "Dish soap is experiencing a national supply shortage, impacting product availability for our customers," and includes an apology for any inconvenience.
Procter & Gamble, which makes Dawn and Gain soaps, confirmed the low supply in a statement to BHG.com. "We’re aware that some P&G hand dish products might be harder to find right now," a representative said. "For a temporary period, demand exceeded what we were able to supply." The representative also noted that P&G is taking steps to alleviate the shortage. "Our team is working around the clock to refill shelves, and supply is catching up with demand, so all variants should be available soon," she said.
But were barren soap aisles ever really a thing? Some photos, like this one posted on Reddit, show shelves still fully stocked with soap products, despite the warning signs. And, as of yesterday, the dish soap debacle appears to have been averted. According to the P&G representative, "Our temporary supply shortage has been resolved, so all shelves at any store that might be experiencing limited inventory should be stocked soon."
So it looks like you can’t use the dish-soap shortage as an excuse not to do the dishes tonight. But if you’re still worried about the supply of suds running low, it doesn’t hurt to stock up on a few extra bottles.


text:
EA plans to launch a new ad-supported sports trivia game that will be free to download and play online.
Ex-Microsoft VP and now EA Sports division president Peter Moore announced the new product, called EA Sports GameShow, at EA's 2007 Studio Showcase event in Redwood City, Calif., on Wednesday.
In a short demonstration at the event, Moore brought San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith on stage and ran through a few questions of varying difficulty.
The PC-only downloadable game will let players log on and compete against each other, answering sports-related multiple-choice questions in text, audio and video formats. Players, represented by cartoon-like avatars, will have a limited amount of time to answer the questions, earning points and spots on a leader board.
The game sessions will be held live daily by a host based in EA's Orlando, Fla., Tiburon studio. GameShow will be starting its beta testing phase over the next few weeks and is set for a fall release, Moore said.


text:
Customers who choose Vodafone’s new 4G Red tariff, which launches on August 29 in the UK, will be given the option of having Spotify Premium bundled in.
It’s the first high-profile tie-up between a streaming music company and a telco in the UK since Spotify rival Deezer agreed its long-time partnership with mobile network Orange, which has now been folded into EE.
Prices for 4G Red start at £26 per month for a Sim-only 12 month plan, but existing Vodafone customers with 4G-ready phones will be able to upgrade for £5 extra a month. Customers will be able to choose a plan that either includes Spotify Premium or Sky Sports Mobile TV content.
Michael Abbattista, Global Head of Telcom/ISP Partnerships, Spotify said: “We’re very happy to announce this partnership between Spotify and Vodafone.
“This new deal offers Vodafone UK’s millions of customers quick and easy access to all the world’s music on their mobile.
“Spotify partnering with companies like Vodafone increases revenue streams to the music industry, and so provides benefits for fans and artists alike.”
Guy Laurence, CEO, Vodafone UK said: “With 4G, speed is just the start: it’s what you do with it that really matters. We are taking 4G into a new league by offering sport; and changing the tune with all the music you could want. 4G is finally worth getting and there’s plenty to look forward to…”Music Business Worldwide


text:
Facebook mobile users have to download Messenger
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA- Facebook is eliminating instant messaging for mobile and tablet users who will now have to download Messenger, the dedicated texting app Facebook rolled out three-years ago.
The company says the change will give users a faster and better experience.
The update will first affect Android and IOS users in some European countries.
If you have the app, you won't see any change. Once installed, tapping the "message" icon on the Facebook app will send the user the message.
A "return to Facebook" icon allows them to go back.
Desktop NewsClick to open Continuous News in a sidebar that updates in real-time.
Daycare owner indicted on negligent homicide charge in child's death
Slow start to ticket sales for Saturday's LSU, USC game
La. VA secretary out amid patient care scandal
LSU general admission tickets go on sale Thursday
West Feliciana deputy accused of using 'n' word, multiple complaints filed


text:
Thousands across the world have been in line for days for Friday morning's release of the iPhone 5, which goes on sale at 8 a.m. local time in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and the U.K. The phones are likely to fly off the shelves. Apple sold more than 2 million pre-orders for the device in the first 24 hours this week. Industry analysts say the company could sell as many as 10 million iPhone 5s by Monday morning.
THE WEEK'S AUDIOPHILE PODCASTS: LISTEN SMARTER
- Syrian women know how to defeat ISIS
- The one thing the New Atheists get right about religion
- The U.S. Marines are developing laser weapons. Here's why.
- 43 TV shows to watch in 2014
- Will Kobani be ISIS's Waterloo?
- How to be the most productive person in your office — and still get home by 5:30 p.m.
- 3 horrific inaccuracies in Homeland's depiction of Islamabad
- How to make corn dogs
- 5 baffling foreign-language versions of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song
- 6 things the happiest families all have in common
Subscribe to the Week


text:
Bengaluru: Mobile internet technology company AppyHigh, which builds global products around the ‘digital hierarchy of needs’ of smartphone users, has gone from 5 million to 50 million Monthly Active Users (MAU) across its ecosystem of apps during the pandemic. AppyHigh’s universe of apps has garnered over 400mn downloads till date. The company has touched an annualised recurring revenue (ARR) of $11mn (INR 80 crore).
The bootstrapped and profitable Indian startup saw its MAUs spiral, with users increasingly meeting their everyday needs through mobile-first platforms for productivity and utility, entertainment, content discovery and creation since December 2019. The bulk of the demand has been noted from Bharat where users are either moving from personal computer to mobile-first or are completely skipping the personal computer stage in their digital journey.
As per industry reports, Indians spent an average of 4.8 hours on mobile apps – the highest ever – in 2021. Indians are known to spend 90 per cent of all internet minutes through mobiles and the pandemic has further increased the dependency on phones to go about regular routines – be it work, personal or social life.
The multi-product business, which intercepts across the digital hierarchy of needs, saw a notable increase in usage of mobile- first productivity and utility apps that fulfil fundamental digital needs. This can be attributed to the remote and hybrid work setup adopted by most companies across the globe. Here AppyHigh’s Scanner Go, a mobile -first document suite, achieved nearly 7 million MAUs, the highest in the industry for the segment.
AppyHigh Co-founder Aneesh Rayancha said, “Over the next couple of months we will bring rapid innovation across our ecosystem of apps and sharpen our focus on user intimacy as we target the next 1 billion users by 2026. Building and scaling products that delight users around the world will remain the cornerstone of our growth journey.”
While the technology firm primarily draws its users from India, foreign markets like the US, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, and the UK contribute a sizable 20 per cent to its business.


text:
Rock and Roll Album Cover Puzzles: Buying Guide
Written by News Bot on April 26, 2020
Spending a $#%@-ton of time at home? Try a puzzle!
Ultimate Classic Rock made a list of classic rock album cover puzzles in April 2020.
Read the article at Ultimate Classic Rock: https://www.facebook.com/107710719302307/posts/3804471349626207


text:
After NVIDIA, AMD has joined the Blender Foundation Development fund. Similar to the GTX Graphics Cards maker, the Radeon and Vega Graphics Card and technology developer has joined the foundation at the Patron level. The Patron level sponsor is the highest possible level of participation and entitles several added responsibilities and privileges. This is certainly great news for developers, coders, gamers, graphics and multimedia editors as both the mainstream graphics companies are now part of the Blender Foundation. Needless to add, there are very few companies that have joined the Blender Foundation Development fund at the Patron level.
AMD Joins NVIDIA And EPIC Games At Patron Level, And Promises To Allocate Appropriate Resources:
The Patron Level membership is the highest level of the Blender Foundation Development Fund. It was EPIC Games that first joined at this level followed by NVIDIA. AMD is the most recent and the third member to join at this level. Blender Foundation works to develop 3D creation software. It is by far one of the most sophisticated platforms which help in creating hyper-realistic artwork that can be considered studio-grade. Game developers actively use the Blender 3D development platform to lend ultra-realistic graphics and visuals to their creations.
Today AMD joined the Blender Foundation Development Fund at Patron level. We will invest it in general development, Vulkan migration and to keep AMD technologies well supported for our users. Thanks a lot! https://t.co/vFdhNcJbOR #b3d
— Blender (@blender_org) October 23, 2019
As Patron-level members, both AMD and NVIDIA will contribute at least €120k per year to the foundation. Additionally, AMD and NVIDIA are expected to keep a small number of developers dedicated to developing and improving the Blender Foundation’s core. While NVIDIA will certainly ensure the Blender platform tightly integrates and supports its own GPU technology, AMD will ensure its Vulkan GPU technology is supported optimally.
In fact, the Blender Foundation mentioned the sponsor money will be used for general development as well as for supporting their migration to Vulkan and supporting other AMD technologies. What this clearly means is that Blender Vulkan acceleration could be a reality in the near future. AMD is not new to such collaboration. While this is the first time for the company to support a foundation at the patron level, AMD has collaborated with Blender for the improvement of OpenCL. Moreover, the company has also been involved in AMD Radeon ProRender development and customization for Blender.
NVIDIA joined the Blender Foundation Development Fund at Patron level. This will enable two more developers to work on core Blender development and to keep NVIDIA's GPU technology well supported for our users. Thanks NVIDIA for the trust in our work! https://t.co/qxl0yLN76g #b3d
— Blender (@blender_org) October 7, 2019
Why Joining The Blender Foundation Development Fund At Patron Level Is Important For NVIDIA And AMD:
The Blender Foundation Development Fund’s Patron Level membership is also called as ‘Corporate Patron’. It starts at €120k per year. According to the Blender Foundation’s website, “this membership level is for organizations who want the option to monitor in more detail what will get funded with their contributions.” The membership grants participants direct access to the Blender team for strategical discussions. Moreover, the Blender’s platform’s roadmaps and priorities are also aligned with their requirements. As a sign of respect, the Blender Foundation prominently displays the names and logos of Patron Level members in all official publications by Blender Foundation as well as the main website.
— Blender (@blender_org) August 20, 2019
The Blender platform runs on a Python controlled interface. It has a large and active community of developers who create hundreds of add-ons. Owing to the versatility, and efficiency of the platform, Blender is used in nearly all forms of digital multimedia creation. The inclusion of production-ready camera and object tracking allows developers many new avenues. If that’s not enough, the platform has a powerful unbiased path-tracer engine that offers stunning ultra-realistic rendering.
These aforementioned attributes make the Blender platform an invaluable asset for both NVIDIA and AMD. Both companies have been making powerful graphics cards for a long time. The inclusion, integration, and optimization of a 3D software platform should certainly help them make even better hardware.


text:
Braille books get online outlet
Braille books get online outlet
Library of Congress delivers FTP files via the Web, is working on digital audio
By William Jackson
|Judith Dixon says braille files are about 30 percent smaller than ASCII files and easier for Library of Congress patrons to download.|
The Library of Congress is developing new ways to deliver books to the blind and visually impaired via a Web site for braille books and through digital audio.
The site uses File Transfer Protocol to upload files to a Web server from which people can download to a braille embosser, or they can read the files on an electronic braille display.
'We ftp'd the files to a site and added some security,' said Judith Dixon, consumer relations officer at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. 'This is 1994 Web activity.'
The braille files, which the library already had in its inventory, are about 30 percent smaller than ASCII text files, making them easier to download and store.
Delivering a digital audio book is no simple task, however. A digital audio file is about 6,000 times as big as a comparable text file, creating hurdles for both delivery and storage. But digital recordings have better quality and flexibility than the analog audiocassettes now in use. Furthermore, the cassette's days are numbered, said Michael Moodie, a research and development officer at the library.
'We know the analog cassette is going to die,' Moodie said. 'Analog recording equipment already is getting harder to buy.'
Moodie said analog cassettes have another five, maybe 10, years of life. By that time, convenient technology for handling large files should be available, he said.Shortcut codes
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped launched the service, called Web-Braille and accessed from www.loc.gov/nls
, in October. Since 1992, NLS has kept extra disks of the code it uses to print books in Grade 2 braille, a short-form version of the system of raised dots in which symbols and abbreviations stand for letter combinations or entire words. Files from the disks are loaded on an IBM RS/6000 server.
A braille embosser can print out the downloaded files, or users can read them from a refreshable braille display, which raises and lowers a pin array to make a line of braille characters. Access to the copyrighted books is restricted by password to registered users.
The Web-Braille site opened with about 2,700 titles. New books are being added at a rate of about 40 a week.
'As our quality assurance section approves a book for shipment, they put the book on the server,' Dixon said.
About 1G worth of books resides on the server now, ranging from cookbooks to John Grisham novels. Although there were only about 400 users after two months, 'the people who use it are ecstatic,' Dixon said.
The number of people using the library's books-on-tape service is much greater. Moodie said 500,000 to 600,000 special cassette players are in use, playing unabridged books on six-hour analog cassette tapes. An average book runs about 12 hours, Moodie said. Accommodating so many listeners in the switch to digital audio will require small, robust, high-capacity digital players that have not yet been developed.
'We are at the stage of defining the standards for the file format,' Moodie said.
The standards being considered are Web-based, such as the popular MP3 format, but the Web is unlikely to be the immediate delivery vehicle. Using common sampling ratios, an average book takes up about 3.8G. Even with 15-fold compression, a digital audio book would occupy about 250M.
'That's a very big file' that would take about 10 hours to download with a 56-Kbps modem, Moodie said. 'That's not feasible.'
Although Moodie said he is convinced that digital audio books eventually will be available online, last-mile bandwidth for convenient downloads of such size will not be available to enough users soon enough to make the Web a likely vehicle in the near future. At least one generation of physical players is needed.
'We really like the idea of solid-state storage,' Moodie said. Although companies are beginning to produce digital players, no one has yet come up with the ruggedness, ease of use and capacity the library wants.
'We think they're going to be there in the time frame in which we'll need them,' Moodie said. But, he added, moving to digital in less than five years would be tough.


text:
David Collins in
July 1, 2009 |
SOCOM Confrontation is an online-only shooter that came out last October. The reviews have been fairly mixed, but that hasn’t stopped Slant Six Games from developing a new DLC pack for the title. Coming later this summer, the pack will bring a new area to play in, new maps, new characters, new weapons,...


text:
Palm, Handspring: United at Last
"This is a great day for the Palm Economy," trumpeted David Nagel, president and CEO of Palm's software division, in a statement [ed. note: causing several editors to giggle rather childishly behind their hands].
The merger is expected to close by the fall of this year, with the Palm Solutions unit and Handspring forming a single company focused on hardware development, and the Palm Source software unit being spun off as a separate entity.
With the merger, Palm gains Handspring's Treo smartphone team and a number of important carrier relationships worldwide. Handspring has been far more focused on wireless than Palm and acquiring the company will considerably strengthen Palm's offerings in that area.
Meanwhile, the merger will give Handspring enough money to stay afloat. Palm says it will provide an initial $10 million line of credit to Handspring for working-capital purposes until the transaction closes. Under certain conditions, this line of credit may be increased to $20 million, and its maturity may be extended, the firm says.
Both companies have seen tough times since the economic downturn (see Palm and Handspring: Slowly Drowning).
The move will be a homecoming for Palm veterans Jeff Hawkins and Donna Dubinsky. Hawkins developed the first Palmpilot and founded Palm Inc. with Dubinsky in 1992. The pair left to form Handspring in 1998, after 3Com Corp. (Nasdaq: COMS) acquired the company as part of its U.S. Robotics Corp. deal in 1997.
Eric Benhamou is currently president and CEO of Palm [ed. note: which also causes several editors to giggle rather childishly behind their hands].
— Dan Jones, Senior Editor, Unstrung


text:
What you need to know
- Apple TV+ crime-thriller Truth Be Told launches on December 6.
- The show stars Octavia Spencer as a podcaster who uncovers new evidence in a murder investigation.
- Here's a roundup of some of the initial reviews.
Apple TV+ crime thriller Truth Be Told will launch on streaming service on December 6, where three episodes of the latest Apple original will be made available at launch.
The description of the show states:
With just a day before release, here's a roundup of some of the initial reviews of the show so you can decide whether you might be interested in Apple's latest original offering.
CNET described the show as being "guilty of being less interesting than the real-life version" of true-crime podcasting. However, it did note that the show has some unexpected directions and that Aaron Paul is doing his best work since Breaking Bad.
VF notes that the plot of TBT is "very complicated" and that there is "way too much going on", however it says that the show earns it, and that the story is held together by the public appetite for the podcast at the heart of the story.
Time pulled no punches, describing TBT as "everything that's wrong with Apple TV+". Not that the show is a disaster, but rather "bland and forgettable." The reviewer claims that the script is cluttered with "unwieldy" lines, but that the show finds "some resonance" when it explores how "the media can warp the families whose tragedies it distills into entertainment."
Despite the fact it sounds excellent on paper, Vulture says the show is "not great". It described TBT as "pedestrian and tedious and not as entertaining as it should be." Like other reviews there was also criticism of too much going on, and that it can feel as though the actors are "straining to elevate the material."
Whilst these reviews don't make for encouraging reading. Nearly all of Apple TV+'s shows have all seemingly landed much more favorably with wider audiences upon release. With just one day to go before release, viewers don't have long to wait before they can dig into Truth Be Told themselves to determine whether or not the show is worth watching. Before then, why not check out the trailer below!
Truth Be Told on the way!
find out if Truth Be Told was worth the wait on December 6!
Subscribe, or enjoy a year's free viewing if you bought an iPhone, iPod, iPad Mac or Apple TV after September 10, 2019.
Master your iPhone in minutes
iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!
Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.
Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9


text:
Telefónica is taking a stake in its preferred mobile payments partner, Boku, as part of a funding round in which Boku has raised $35 million (€26.6 million). The Spanish-based operator called the investment a "significant development" as it readies its mobile wallet service for launch.
Telefónica Digital did not refused to reveal the amount it had invested in Boku. Other investors included venture capital firms New Enterprise Associates, Andreessen Horowitz, Benchmark Capital, DAG Ventures, Index Ventures and Khosla Ventures. but added:
"Payments are going mobile and we want to be at the forefront of this trend," Telefónica Digital CEO matthew Key said in a statement. "Boku has quickly established itself as a true innovator in the mobile commerce space and this investment and partnership gives us access to their tools, infrastructure and know how, ideally complementing our own mobile payments expertise."
Along with this investment, Telefónica Digital announced a new agreement with Boku that will provide the mobile payments developer with access to Telefónica's operations in 25 markets and 300 million customers. The deal will also provide Telefonica with access to Boku's merchant network, expanding the number of places customers will be able to use their mobile wallet for purchases.
Boku, which started in 2008, has raised $75 million (€57 million) so far and operates in 67 countries through 250 mobile operators, according to Reuters.
Earlier this month Telefónica unveiled its Wayra start-up accelerator in London's West End which will offer entrepreneurs financial backing and professional mentoring services. Orange quickly followed this by announcing an initiative with Publicis to jointly run a £256 million investment fund aimed at assisting start-ups.
Visa Europe acquires 15% stake in Mobile Money Network
Telefónica to launch mobile wallet service by mid-year
NFC starts to take off in Europe, but challenges remain
Visa pushes UK operators to join London Olympics NFC payment scheme
FT Orange cool to Google Wallet, calls for m-commerce openness
P2P mobile money service unveiled by Barclays


text:
People working throughout the Scottish red meat industry are rallying behind a raft of new initiatives being launched by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) to highlight the excellent credentials of meat from Scotland.
Over the past few days QMS has been inundated with offers of support from farmers, farm workers, vets, butchers and others keen to get involved in the activities and share the industry’s positive messages.
This includes signing up to potentially take part in a new TV advert for Scotch Beef, which is being filmed next month. The TV advert, being created by a BAFTA-winning director, is being filmed as part of a brand new marketing and public relations campaign behind Scotch Beef PGI set to increase consumers’ understanding of what sets quality assured beef from Scotland apart.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the level of support we are receiving from a very wide range of people, located throughout Scotland, by email, phone and via social media,” said Carol McLaren, QMS Director of Marketing and Communications.
“Our new campaign ‘Know your beef’ communicates all the care and commitment behind the Scotch Beef PGI brand and the TV advert will celebrate the people who are behind the brand.
“Our industry has a huge amount to be proud of in terms of producing nutritious, healthy food and there is no better way of telling the story of our sustainability and animal welfare credentials than through the dedicated people at the heart of our industry.”
Around 50,000 jobs in Scotland are dependent on the red meat industry and there is an opportunity for everyone involved - from farmers, processors and butchers to auctioneers, feed companies and hauliers - to get involved in the QMS campaigns.
The Scotch Beef campaign will follow a marketing and PR campaign behind Specially Selected Pork which for the first time includes TV advertising and airs for the first time today (21st January, 2019). This pork campaign is being supported by £125,000 from the Scottish Government.
For more information on how to get involved please follow QMS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. If you would like to be considered for the Scotch Beef TV advert filming please email firstname.lastname@example.org


text:
May 9, 2012 at 6:35 PM ET
Facebook Wednesday announced its own app store, called the App Center, a move that puts the social networking giant in good company with other tech giants like Apple, with its App Store, and Google, with its Android-based Google Play store, as a way to buy and download applications, or programs.
"In the coming weeks, people will be able to access the App Center on the Web and in the iOS and Android Facebook apps," wrote Aaron Brady on Facebook's developer blog.
Brady said for the 901 million Facebook users worldwide, the App Center "will become the new, central place to find great apps like 'Draw Something,' 'Pinterest,' 'Spotify,' 'Battle Pirates,' 'Viddy' and 'Bubble Witch Saga.'
"Everything has an app detail page, which helps people see what makes an app unique and lets them install it before going to an app."
Apps will be both free and paid.
"Success through the App Center is tied to the quality of an app," Brady wrote. Facebook will "use a variety of signals, such as user ratings and engagement, to determine if an app is listed in the App Center."
And to gauge user feedback for app developers, Facebook said it's " introducing a new app ratings metric in Insights to report how users rate your app over time.
"Well-designed apps that people enjoy will be prominently displayed. Apps that receive poor user ratings or don’t meet the quality guidelines won't be listed."
The new App Center is meant to "grow mobile apps that use Facebook — whether they're on iOS, Android or the mobile Web," Brady wrote. "From the mobile App Center, users can browse apps that are compatible with their device, and if a mobile app requires installation, they will be sent to download the app from the App Store or Google Play."
Mobile is a key element for Facebook as it moves forward with an initial public offering of its stock next week. Potential investors are looking at how Facebook plans to increase advertising revenue via mobile as more people access Facebook using smartphones, and not just computers.
Facebook said Wednesday that usage of its social networking service is growing faster than its ad deliveries, reflecting a shift toward mobile devices and away from computers.


text:
The combined business would be owned 50/50 between shareholders of FCA and Groupe Renault.Autosread more
Pro-EU parties are set to hold onto two-thirds of the seats at the EU Parliament.Europe Politicsread more
The U.S. is showing signs of targeting China's domestic surveillance and the tech supporting it.Technologyread more
Smartphone users in Singapore, the U.K. and China told CNBC's "Beyond The Valley" that foldable smartphones are "very strange," "super bulky," and expensive compared to the...Technologyread more
Some House members want to lift the cap on state and local tax deductions, but it could be tough, in part because the move is expected to benefit high earners.Politicsread more
The result comes shortly after Conservative Party leader Theresa May announced her resignation as prime minister on Friday morning.Europe Politicsread more
Investors are largely focused on results of the EU parliamentary elections. Euroskeptic parties in Britain and France made solid gains.Europe Marketsread more
Former Apple CEO John Sculley says this skill is vital to all great business leadership.Successread more
A Beijing decision to rapidly and sharply cut its excessive and unsustainable trade surplus with the U.S. would change for the better the bilateral relationship, writes...World Economyread more
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to make sure that India becomes a highly competitive manufacturing hub where global investors will look to invest, the chairman of India...Asia Economyread more
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he expects to get the trade gap with Japan "straightened out rapidly," adding that announcements on that could come as soon as August.World Economyread more
Uber found itself at the center of a storm created by the travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump's executive order, as angry customers accused the company of attempting to profit from a taxi driver work stoppage.
In response to a growing controversy, Uber announced it would create a $3 million defense fund to help cover the legal expenses associated with the executive order. It was unclear, however, if the move would be sufficient to quell the firestorm surrounding one of Silicon Valley's darlings and a fixture in countless mobile devices.
On Saturday, The New York City Taxi Workers Alliance called for a temporary halt to rides heading to John F. Kennedy airport. Several immigrant detainees were being held at a terminal there before being released when a judge intervened to block parts of Trump's executive order. The alliance, which is not a union but a cab driver advocacy group, sought to rally drivers in support.
Uber continued to carry passengers—many of them protesters rallying in support of detainees—to the airport. However, the company announced shortly after 730pm Eastern that it would temporarily suspend surge pricing, in recognition that demand would be unusually high.
Still, users—angered by the fact that the company didn't completely halt service in solidarity—lashed out by vowing to delete their Uber applications. Some pledged to switch to competitor Lyft, even though Uber CEO Travis Kalanick was one of the first Silicon Valley chiefs to come out against the Trump travel ban.
Uber pledged its support to drivers affected by what it called Trump's "unjust" ban, even promising to compensate them for lost wages.
That, however, failed to placate a client base riled up by the travel ban. Some pointed out that Kalanick was a member of the president's advisory council on business. In a statement, Kalanick said he would use his leverage with Trump to address the travel ban.
Yet on Sunday afternoon, the backlash appeared to widen. Twitter lit up with celebrities expressing their outrage and planning to delete the app.
Boldface names such as Lena Dunham, George Takei, Taraji P. Henson and Janelle Monae all suggested they would join the Uber boycott.
A spokesperson contacted by CNBC said Uber was "sorry for any confusion about our earlier tweet—it was not meant to break up any strike. We wanted people to know they could use Uber to get to and from JFK at normal prices, especially last night."
Separately, Lyft said it would donate $1 million to the ACLU, which spearheaded the legal action that resulted in the freeing of detainees.


text:
Notebook screens illuminated by light emitting diodes will start to become more common in 2006 because the cost of the components is coming down.
By the second quarter of 2006, LED-based backlight modules will only cost around $3 more than traditional cathode lamps, according to LED maker Everlight Electronics quoted in Asian tech site Digitimes. With the price premium so low, manufacturers will begin to adopt LEDs. Everlight is one of the larger LED manufacturers and is based in Taiwan, the nation of componentry.
LEDs consume less energy, and take up less room, which in turn leads to thinner notebooks that can run longer on a single battery charge. The screen is one of the most power hungry components in a notebook. LEDs also don't contain mercury, important for computer makers worried about environmental legislation being enacted around the world.
Currently, only Sony and Toshiba offer notebooks with LED-lit screens and then in only a few models.
The LED-lit screens will come in notebooks with 12- and 14-inch screens first, according to Everlight.


text:
World Bank offers India $975 mn loan for freight corridor
The loan is for a dedicated rail line for freight called Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor-I developed by Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd.business Updated: Oct 27, 2011 21:39 IST
The World Bank has offered India a $975 million loan for developing a freight corridor that will help improve the movement of raw materials and finished goods between the northern and eastern parts of the country, an official statement said on Thursday.
The loan is for a dedicated rail line for freight called Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor-I developed by Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd.
This is part of India’s first dedicated freight corridor initiative - being built on two main routes - the Western and the Eastern Corridors.
These corridors will help India make a quantum leap in increasing the railways’ transportation capacity by building high-capacity, higher-speed dedicated freight corridors along the golden quadrilateral - the four rail routes that connect Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, the finance ministry said in a statement.
Currently, these routes account for just 16% of the railway network’s length, but carry more than 50% of India’s total rail freight.
The Department of Economic Affairs and Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd has singed an agreement with the World Bank for the project.
“Dedicated freight corridors will not only meet this growing freight demand, but also decongest the already saturated rail network and promote the shifting of freight transport from road to more efficient rail transport,” said Venu Rajamony, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs.
He said freight traffic in India was projected to grow over 7% annually and the development of the dedicated corridors would help in the easier movement of goods.
The eastern dedicated freight corridor project will ease congestion choking the railway system and reduce travel-time for passenger trains on the arterial Ludhiana-Delhi-Mughal Sarai railway route.
The World Bank financing for the project will cover a route length of 1,130 km out of a total corridor length of 1,839 km. The project is to be developed in three phases.
“The dedicated freight corridor programme will provide India the opportunity to create one of the world’s largest freight operations, adopting proven international technologies and approaches which can progressively be extended to other important freight routes throughout the network,” Roberto Zagha, the World Bank’s Country Director in India, said in a statement.
First Published: Oct 27, 2011 21:26 IST


text:
As the consumer landscape continues to shift and evolve, how will food retailers and restaurants move into the next generation of loyalty?
General Mills' announcement that it may raise prices caught readers' attention this week, as did Mod Pizza's plan to grow to more than 400 location this year.
Chef-driven fine-casual concepts catch on with time-crunched consumers craving something new
Hotels are leveraging partnerships with a new crop of delivery services to provide guests with expansive dining and services options.
News of Kraft Heinz’s new business unit caught readers’ attention this week, along with the launches of several new CPG products from big industry players.
Last month Datassential traveled to galaxies not far, far away to uncover the latest pop culture concepts, culling insights and key takeaways any operator can take inspiration from.
For many consumers, choosing a restaurant isn’t just about the food, the ambiance or the value -- it’s about values. Restaurant execs and the founder of GroupRaise explain how giving back is good for the community and the bottom line.
New products from Pinnacle Foods, Unilever resonated with SmartBrief readers this week.
Jones Dairy Farm President Philip Jones discusses how chefs can offer a fresh take on classic favorites for dishes that appeal to both adventurous eaters and diners craving comfort food classics.
To put the spotlight on an in-store bakery, first make sure the products are ready for their close-up.
The lines between supermarkets and restaurants are blurring as grocery retailers expand their foodservice offerings, and items made with natural ingredients and options for special diets can help supermarkets become dining destinations.
No matter how difficult it is to achieve such a meal, consumers still place a big emphasis on dinner.
News of Kraft Heinz's latest breakfast product struck a chord with readers this week, as did stories from Kroger and Starbucks.
Mainstream restaurants and vegan eateries get innovative with new plant-based dishes.


text:
Google today announced Privacy Sandbox on Android to enable more private advertising solutions for app developers. These new solutions will operate without cross-app identifiers like advertising ID and they limit sharing of user data with 3rd parties. Despite these restrictions, these new ad solutions will advertisers to show relevant ads and measure them.
Google mentioned that Privacy Sandbox on Android is a multi-year effort and the development, testing, and adopting of ad solutions based on it will take at least two years. Until then, Google will not make changes to existing capabilities or policies related to AdID.
Google also criticized Apple’s approach to bluntly restricting existing technologies used by developers and advertisers. Without providing a privacy-preserving alternative path, Apple’s approach is ineffective and leads to worse outcomes for user privacy and developer businesses.
Google is ready to work with web browsers, online publishers, ad tech companies, advertisers, and developers in the development and testing of the proposed new technologies.
Google wrote the following in the blog post announcing Privacy Sandbox on Android:
The Privacy Sandbox on Android is an important part of our mission to raise the bar for user privacy, while giving developers and businesses the tools they need to succeed on mobile. We look forward to working with the industry on this journey.


text:
[View the story “#SolarChat 3/27/13 Recap: The State of the U.S. Solar Market” on Storify]
In November 2011, EcoOutfitters launched #SolarChat, a monthly discussion facilitated on Twitter that joins solar and renewable industry experts and solar-curious consumers to discuss issues relevant to solar energy, solar PR, solar hot water, solar pool heating, etc. The goal of #SolarChat, which is held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 2-3:00 p.m. EST, is to make solar a reality for every home and business across America.
Since its inception, #SolarChat has connected thousands of solar professionals, from solar PV manufacturers and solar installation company owners, to solar corporation CEOs, renewable energy association representatives, and other “green” leaders. We have developed into “the industry’s think tank,” engaging in robust, informative, and actionable topics such as solar industry growth, solar certifications, solar myths, net metering, solar and the media, solar financing, and more. View all recaps below.
It is in #SolarChat’s DNA to join hands and tell the story of solar energy; by doing so, we can open the nation’s doors to embrace positive action. Here’s how.
As the world gathered to hear the State of the Union Address, many solar-minded people gathered to #SolarChat the #SOTU. Here are some highlights.
Day three at PV America East solidified the notion that the solar industry continues to rapidly expand. Here are some Twitter highlights…
Day 2 at PV America East was incredibly busy. From a packed Solar Swap brainstorming session to an engaging #SolarChat LIVE TweetUp, the day was very, very bright. Here are some highlights.
PV America East ’13 – Day 1 in Tweets…
Win a free full conference pass to Solar Power International with our online Twitter contest in conjunction with PV America East and #SolarChat LIVE to be held on Wednesday, February 6th.


text:
Dinosaurs will invade Salem the weekend of March 17-19 as Jurassic Quest takes over the Exposition Center at the Oregon State Fairgrounds.
Jurassic Quest is a popular interactive dinosaur experience with displays of realistic herds. Life-like moving and roaring dinosaurs will mix with interactive science and art activities, including a giant fossil dig.
Event hours are 1-8 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday, March 19.
Organizers recommend purchasing advance tickets online at jurassicquest.com/upcoming-events. Tickets range from $19 to $22. Tickets for unlimited kids admission are $36.


text:
Nearly 2.3 million teenagers in the US tan indoors annually, and with prom season right around the corner, the temptation to tan is even greater. But with the big night fast approaching, new research has found that the use of sunbeds during a person's teens and twenties is linked to an increase in melanoma risk, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) conducted a thorough review of several studies associating tanning bed use and melanoma risk. The researchers showed that the use of sunbeds under the age of 35 can increase melanoma risk by 75 percent. "This new research substantiates what we've believed for years about the danger of indoor tanning," said Perry Robins, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation. "It clearly increases the risk of skin cancer, especially in young women, who are the biggest users. Perhaps people will finally start to listen now that this study and other recent research provides some science to back up the belief."
If the threat of melanoma isn't enough to scare teens away from tanning booths, they should know that 90 percent of visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. UV tanning accelerates the signs of aging, including wrinkles, leathering and fine lines, which can be seen as early as in one's 20's. Yet many teens will still desire a bronzed glow for prom. One safe alternative is so-called "sunless tanners," also known as "self-tanning lotions."
Sunless tanners deliver a perfectly safe tan that typically lasts for three to five days. Unlike tanning beds, they don't involve dangerous ultraviolet rays, they are made with completely harmless common ingredients. For a list of recommended products that will give you a sunless glow, check The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation list.
Don't be misled by products that sound like self-tanning lotions - "Tanning amplifiers," "tan accelerators," "tanning promoters," "tanning enhancers," and worst of all, "tanning pills." Many of these products interact with the sun to create the tan, so they actually end up exacerbating the damage done to your skin.
Be sure to wear sunscreen. Even if a sunless tanner has an SPF rating, the sun-protective abilities won't last longer than two hours. So remember to apply an SPF 15+ sunscreen in addition to the self-tanner.


text:
This brand overhaul aims to enhance Web3 accessibility for a new generation of users by offering a well-designed platform that combines user-friendliness with powerful features.
On Monday, October 16, one of the most popular decentralized cryptocurrency wallets – Trust Wallet – shared the details regarding the much-awaited update. In the latest development, this multi-chain blue-chip self-custodial wallet unveiled its new brand identity.
This includes upgrading the new logo, enhanced user interface, and modern application design. Trust Wallet has initiated a redesign campaign with the slogan “Trust Yourself”, emphasizing its dedication to providing the best user experience for both beginners and experts.
This brand overhaul aims to enhance Web3 accessibility for a new generation of users by offering a well-designed platform that combines user-friendliness with powerful features. Speaking on the development, Trust Wallet CEO Eowyn Chen said:
“This upgrade represents a pivotal milestone since our 2017 inception, marking the inaugural leap in our long-term strategy of empowering users’s financial freedom, with a series of upcoming updates. Trust Wallet has evolved to become more than just a wallet—it’s now a trustworthy gateway to the Web3 world. Aligned with our core values of empowering users, we prioritize user trust and confidence as we help people navigate the complexities of the crypto universe. By offering user-centric products and services, we’re equipping people with the essential tools and technology to confidently explore what Web3 has to offer, ultimately granting them the financial autonomy they deserve.”
Trust Wallet Gets New Interface
Trust Wallet’s refreshed appearance features a dynamic two-tone color scheme, Trust Blue and Green, designed to meet the highest standards for visual accessibility. The interfaces are now adaptable to both light and dark modes.
As part of its UX/UI enhancement, the Trust Wallet team has introduced improved navigation, providing smooth access to features such as wallet-switching and token discovery. Additionally, a new shield logo has been introduced, symbolizing an unparalleled level of security across all Trust Wallet applications.
“Trust stands as a guardian of security, and an advocate for user empowerment. Our new Trust Wallet carries forward the simplicity and trustworthiness our users have always appreciated, ” noted Chen.
With its user-friendly interface, Trust Wallet facilitates the purchase, storage, earning, and swapping of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, along with the management of various digital assets including NFTs. It supports 16 languages, making it accessible across all continents, and has amassed over 70 million global downloads. Trust Wallet is compatible with approximately 100 blockchains and empowers users with activities like staking and cross-chain swaps.
Bhushan is a FinTech enthusiast and holds a good flair in understanding financial markets. His interest in economics and finance draw his attention towards the new emerging Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrency markets. He is continuously in a learning process and keeps himself motivated by sharing his acquired knowledge. In free time he reads thriller fictions novels and sometimes explore his culinary skills.


text:
Experts Think Facebook Should Be Paying Publishers
With Facebook rolling out yet another new algorithm, the ad community has a few thoughts on how it will affect their businesses.
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has voiced a controversial thought on how Facebook should proceed with this change, which many think puts publishers at a disadvantage. Murdoch’s idea? Facebook should be paying publishers for the news they produce and upload.
This is actually already practiced in the television world, and is called a “carriage fee“. Murdoch thinks that if publishers are to be prioritized for the quality news they bring to Facebook users, they should be getting paid for it. Will this help incentivize businesses to create engaging and truthful content for users to interact with?
Following Facebook’s announcement, numerous other experts have interjected their thoughts on the upcoming changes. DigitasLBi Vice president and group director of social strategy Billy Boulia makes a good point:
“While Facebook’s move to prioritize friends’ content over ‘passive’ publisher and news outlet content may shock many marketers and agencies, we should fear not. In addition to not impacting the ad algorithm (for now), Facebook is striving to make its News Feed a place for meaningful and relevant connections. Brands need to take quick action with their Facebook content strategies to dig in to the data on “who” their fans are and what makes them tick so that brand content is synonymous with relevant content.”
Rather than simply posting content to get engagements, views, or any other end goal, experts seem to agree that posting meaningful and engaging content is the way to go to hold onto longevity.
However, not everyone sees the upside to the algorithm change. Chris Cunningham, Unacast president expresses concern:
“The impact of the News Feed (algorithm change) will be positive for user experience but terrible for brands, publishers and other third-party players. Having lived through the early days of Facebook as CEO of Appssavvy, I’ve seen the great power Facebook offers business, but also the threat, as simple changes on its side that impact algorithms can put small companies out of business.”
Either way you look at things, Facebook is changing. Digital advertising is always changing, and adjustments to algorithms such as this will only affect you negatively if your business is not being true to it’s core values in the first place. Facebook will still have a place for businesses, but taking a step back and analyzing your existing marketing efforts will help you proceed with success.
While you’re thinking about Facebook, why not follow us to stay in the know?
Lauren is the Marketing Communications Director for SocialChimp.
Leave a Reply


text:
Hyundai's redesigned i30 wagon – known in the U.S. as the Elantra Touring – is set to make its global debut at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show. This compact model has been recognized worldwide for being solid, low-priced, and being very functional. This upcoming model will be the debut of its redesigned i30 will debut.
Hyundai's fluidic sculpture design is evident on this striking wagon. It’s quite a surprise that the wagon won’t be offered in the U.S., with Hyundai asserting that a five-door hatchback is more appealing. John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America CEO, said that it fits its image of “sport plus function” better.
He explained that the Elantra GT is similar to a Veloster in many ways, one of which is its “youthful appeal.” In addition, Krafcik said that the Elantra GT's suspension has been tuned for driving, "very much in the European vein." Three driving modes (comfort, normal and sport) are available for the electric power steering.
These can be switched at any time to meet the demands of varying road conditions. At the Chicago Auto Show, Krafcik said that this approach is a better match to the five-door hatch as opposed to the larger wagon. There are those who don’t agree since they think that what’s more attractive than the GT hatchback is a stylish wagon priced under $20,000 that has the same engineering capabilities. They think that the next-gen i30 wagon has the styling that makes it more appealing than the GT.